Week 5 had it’s share of great shots, nice passes and fancy dribbling. The players really enjoy playing the games and the fans do a great job cheering them on. If you like excitement, stop by George E. Scott Coliseum next Saturday and check out the next generation of incredible athletes.

“Parent Night” gives the Italy players and Gladiator fans a chance to honor the parents and grandparents who do so much behind the scenes for the athletes. Also, Lady Gladiator Megan Richards celebrated her 16th birthday with her teammates Friday as well.

Thursday after school, Italy Lady Gladiator coaches Stacy McDonald and Tina Richards organized a scrimmage between their ladies and the lads of the 8th grade boys basketball team.

The Italy Junior High boys played two games against Dallas Life Thursday, January 28. The 7th graders had their struggles early but managed to finish strong. The 8th graders built a small lead by intermission and then pulled away in the 2nd half to pencil in their second win in a row.

George E. Scott Coliseum — The IYAA basketball players, coaches and fans enjoyed an exciting Week 4 of competition on Saturday. There were several close games to keep the crowd entertained and plenty of special memories were made. The kind of memories that will last a lifetime.

Friday night, Italy Basketball celebrated Throwback Night honoring the 1955 girls State Semi-finalists and the 1974 boys Regional Finalists Basketball teams. Honorees enjoyed watching the current JV Boys, Varsity girls and Varsity boys basketball teams as they defeated the Waxahachie Advantage Eagles in all 3 games.

In what was an exciting night of basketball on Tuesday, Italy’s JV girls, JV Boys, Varsity girls and Varsity boys clashed with Itasca during Italy’s Pack The Dome Night inside Italy Coliseum. “Gladiator Nation” was well represented as both schools put on quite a performance.

George E. Scott Coliseum — IYAA Basketball, Week 3, saw it’s share of exciting finishes, amazing plays and gutsy performances. Sydney Lowenthal even swished a “granny shot” for goodness sake. The most exciting moments of Week 3 matched one Italy team against another. With bragging rights on the line, all the players gave it their all and then congratulated one another after the game.

PACK THE DOME NIGHT! The Lady Gladiators and Gladiators are now focused on the Itasca Wampus Cats who will be coming to town Tuesday, January 26. It’s always an exciting matchup when these two rivals collide so we hope to see everyone inside the Coliseum. Make those signs, paint your faces and get ready to make some noise!

The Italy Junior High 7th and 8th grade girls basketball teams split wins with the Red Oak Life Lady Mustangs on Thursday, January 21 inside the dome shaped corral known as Italy Coliseum.

Four members of the IHS Power Lifting Team traveled to Rice on Saturday, January 16 to compete in their first meet of the season. Kaytlyn Bales, Chase Hamilton, Adrian Reed and Omar Estrada represented Italy during the competition.

Italy Basketball Head Coach Kyle Holley invites Gladiator fans to several upcoming events scheduled at the Italy Coliseum including Pack The Dome Night, Throwback Night and Parent Night.

Italy’s JV Boys, varsity girls and varsity boys raised their level of play Friday night when hosting the Dallas Gateway Gators. With the Gateway program demoralized from a recent U.I.L. ruling of ineligibility declared with the two of it’s varsity boys players, “Gladiator Nation” seized the moment and went hunting for Gators.

The 7th and 8th grade Lady Gladiators competed in the Blooming Grove Jr High Basketball Tournament on Saturday, January 16. The 8th grade came away with a 2nd place trophy. The 7th graders were consolation champs. Both teams showcased their athletic prowess and were excellent representatives of Italy both on and off the court.

Week 2 of the IYAA basketball season was a day of firsts for many young hoopsters. Whether Saturday marked the first time an aspiring athlete made his or her first basket, of their whole life, or whether it was a team’s first win of the season, the IYAA is where many “first moments” happen for future Gladiators, Bulldogs, Eagles and Polar Bears.

The Italy Junior High Lady Gladiators came away with two nail-biting victories against the Palmer Junior High Lady Bulldogs on Thursday inside Italy Coliseum.

The Lady Gladiators had to dribble on egg shells to avoid crushing the Waxahachie Advantage Eagles Tuesday. Despite a ladylike display of passing the ball around more than needed and turning down wide open layups, the Italy Lady Gladiators won by 54-points at home.

The IYAA (Italy Youth Athletic Association) enjoyed Opening Day on Saturday as the 2010 basketball season is underway. Teams from Italy and Hillsboro celebrated the spirit of competition together in what proved to be a fun and exciting day for youth sports.

The Italy 7th and 8th grade boys basketball teams thrilled fans inside the Italy Coliseum on Thursday. The 7th Grade team picked up their second win this season, both wins coming against Irving North Hills, while the 8th grade team lead for three quarters before losing by 2-points in their rematch with Irving North Hills.
^{Scores and stats from the Italy Jr High Girls’ games against Irving North Hills are also included at the end of this article.}

The Italy JV Gladiators win by a whisker over the Whitney JV Wildcats while the Varsity Gladiators handle the Wildcats easily as they near District competition.

Monday marked the first day of basketball practice for the IYAA basketball players. Excitement was in the air as teammates made acquaintances and then ran drills in preparation for the opening day games on Saturday.

The Italy Lady Gladiators competed for the Kiwanis Classic Consolation Championship against the Mildred Lady Eagles while the Gladiators competed for the Men’s Tournament Championship against the Kerens Bobcats this past Wednesday at the Navarro College campus. There was a blackout, rallies, comebacks and experienced gained as Italy strengthens their armor for District.

The Italy Lady Gladiators finished day 2 of the Kiwanis Classic Basketball Tournament with a 1-1 record, earning a spot in the Consolation Championship game against Mildred on Wednesday. The Gladiators defeated Frost on day 2 to post a 2-0 record in the tournament setting up a Kiwanis Tournament Championship rematch with Kerens.

The 2010 Basketball season is underway and practices will begin Monday, January 4. The rosters have been created and coaches will be contacting their players with practice schedule information.

Daniel Seay, Italy Gladiator alumni ’91, and the Aledo Bearcats(15-1), head coached by Athletic Director Tim Buchanan, celebrated winning the Region 4 Division II State Championship on December 19.

Italy’s Varsity and JV Lady Gladiators gift wrap wins for Coaches Stacy McDonald and Tina Richards over the Aquilla Lady Cougars on December 15 inside Italy Coliseum. Like a violently shaken snow globe, the Lady Gladiators created an avalanche inside the dome to bury Aquilla while Italy’s JV girls played Grinch, stealing a Christmas Holiday victory away from Aquilla’s JV girls.

The 2009 Italy Gladiators football team had 15 players named to the District 21-A All-District list. Junior Jasenio Anderson was named District 21-A’s Most Valuable Player, 1st Team Punter and 1st Team Kicker. Anderson and his teammates helped to restore a winning football tradition in Italy by getting into the playoffs for the first time since 2005.

If you would like to sign-up your girl(s)/boy(s) to participate in the IYAA Basketball League for the 2009-2010 season, IYAA Basketball sign-ups will be held Thursday, December 17 between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. at the old Italy High School gym (the George E. Scott Memorial Gymnasium).

Christmas did not come early for Italy’s 7th & 8th Grade boys basketball teams after experiencing tough sledding against the Hampton Prep Phoenix on Monday. Hampton Prep won both games but not without a fight from Italy’s scrappy Junior High Gladiators.
^{Scores and stats from the Italy Jr High Girls’ games against Hampton Prep are also included at the end of this article.}

Italy’s JV and Varsity teams win all four games against Rice on Tuesday. In fact, Italy dominated the visiting Bulldogs cruising to big wins in each game. The Gladiators and Lady Gladiators were all smiles as they geared up for the Venus Tournament.

The Italy Invitational Tournament wrapped up on Saturday, December 5 but not before Italy’s Varsity teams and the JV Gladiators put on a show for the home town fans. Combined, Italy won 5-out of-9 games and appeared in one Consolation Championship game and two Tournament Championship games.

Rain, wind, cold, win, lose or draw, the dedicated IYAA Cheerleaders supported their teams through it all in 2009. Often performing on rain-soaked sidelines and having to endure cold temperatures, those glittery gold pom-poms never stopped shaking and spirits never waivered. And for all the sacrifices, the IYAA players and coaches want to say, “Thank You.”

The Lady Gladiators (Varsity), the JV Gladiators and the Italy Gladiators (Varsity), all won on Day 2 of the Italy Invitational Tournament. The Lady Gladiators won by a landslide over Milford, the JV Gladiators won by a nose against Mildred, and the Italy Gladiators brought a confident Venus team back to Earth.

Several teams from around the area participated in the Italy Invitational Tournament, held December 3-5, inside the Italy Coliseum. Italy had 3 teams participate including the Lady Gladiators (Varsity), the JV Gladiators and the Italy Gladiators (Varsity). This article summarizes Italy’s overall performance on day 1 of the tournament.

Italy’s 7th & 8th grade, Junior High Lady Gladiators, showed grit and determination but just couldn’t overcome two hustling Dallas Life squads.

Italy’s Junior High basketball teams welcomed the Red Oak Life Eagles to Italy Coliseum this past Monday. Unfortunately, the ROL teams were not gracious guests as they won 3-out of-4 against our young Lady Gladiators and Gladiators.

To those interested in the Varsity Basketball tournament that is being held at Italy High School we will post updated brackets when information becomes available to us.

The Italy JV Gladiators proved they are the kings of the court by blowing out the Dallas Life Lions JV squad in the first game. The Italy Gladiators struck the final blow when Ryan Ashcraft made two clutch free throws, with 0:02 remaining, to slay the Dallas Life Lions in dramatic fashion.

The 2009 Italy Invitational Basketball Tournament begins Thursday, December 3 and wraps up on Saturday, December 5. Italy’s Varsity Lady Gladiators, along with the JV and Varsity Gladiators, will all three be competing in the tournament.

The Lady Gladiators defended the dome against the Milford Lady Bulldogs while the Italy JV and Varsity squads punished the Palmer Bulldogs ensuring Italy’s undefeated day.

Congratulations to Head Coach David Ream and his 4A Waxahachie Indians (13-0) football team who held on for a 49-35 win over Highland Park(11-3) and will advance to the Regional Final round against the Longview Lobos(12-1).

The 1A Italy Lady Gladiators had a tough matchup against the 2A Malakoff Lady Tigers, but if there was ever a loss to learn from, this one was it. Blown out by Malakoff last season, the new improved Lady Gladiators gave the Lady Tigers all they wanted on Monday.

Saturday morning in Hubbard, the IYAA (Italy Youth Athletic Association) fielded two football teams competing for a chance to become Superbowl Champions of their respective divisions. By the end of the day one thing was for sure, defense wins Championships….but offense comes in handy as well.

Both the Italy JV and Varsity squads opened their seasons against the Southwest Christian Eagles at home in the Gladiator dome. The Italy JV played excellent while maintaining a huge lead over the Eagles throughout. The Gladiators Varsity had their hands full as Southwest Christian tried to claw their way to a victory.